The club revealed Tuesday night that French midfielder Serisay Barthelemy isn’t a trialist, after all. He actually finished a medical and signed a contract before he got on the plane that took the club to Casa Grande, Ariz. on Monday.

Barthelemy joins countrymen Kevin Hatchi, who is the projected opening day starter at left back, and centre back Jonathan Joseph-Augustin on the roster.

Barthelemy, like Canadian fullback Kenny Caceros, attended the NASL combine in Fort Lauderdale back in mid-February. Caceros was invited to FCE camp on a trial basis.
But, when it came to Barthelemy, who played in 126 matches for French side SC Bastia, scoring 17 times between 2006-2011, FC Edmonton needed to act fast. The team revealed Tuesday that it was in a race with other NASL teams for Barthelemy’s signature.

“I signed up to the NASL Combine in the hopes of living the North American dream with soccer,” said Barthelemy in a release. “After three games at the Fort Lauderdale Combine, a few teams had approached me and demonstrated interest in having me in their club.

“The discussion I had with (coach Harry Sinkgraven and assistant Hans Schrijver) was the one that most resonated with me and found to be the best for me and my family. After only a few short weeks, here I am at our training camp in Arizona. I hope to win the NASL Championship with FC Edmonton and look forward to the many fans supporting us! I would like to thank FC Edmonton and NTL Sports Management for this opportunity.”

In 2011, FC Edmonton signed one player who impressed the club at the Combine, and that was ex-University of Michigan defender Jeffrey Quijano. He isn’t back with the team in 2012.

About Steven Sandor

I'm currently the colour commentator for FC Edmonton broadcasts on Sportsnet, NASL.com and TEAM 1260. I've covered the Toronto FC beat for four years, worked for the Edmonton Aviators of the USL for a season, covered the Edmonton Drillers of the NPSL and started covering Canadian World Cup qualifiers in 1996. I've covered the CONCACAF Champions League and the U-20 World Cup. I'm passionate about soccer in North America.